A pole dancing grandma who took up the hobby in her 50s says she is now in the best shape of her life.
Kerry Burnett, 53, from Essex, told how she was told she was too fat to be a professional dancer and later developed an eating disorder.
But she later gained the confidence to start pole dancing and it was the first time I felt comfortable inside and out.
Ms Burnett said: “I feel like fate has really put this in my path, not only to recover my body but also to get rid of the negativity that comes with it.”
“At the age of 47 I made a list of things I wanted to try and I always wanted to do pole dancing but I was afraid I was too old.”
Kerry Burnett, 53, from Essex, told how she was told she was too fat to be a professional dancer and later developed an eating disorder
“I only wanted to take one class, but the class was so refreshing and unbiased and there were all different heights, so I stayed and am now 53, the strongest I’ve ever been.”
“Since then I’ve also started actually doing pole shows and if you told me I would do that I would say I wouldn’t do it, but this is my career now and I can do it Travel the world.’It.’
When she was younger, Ms. Burnett tried a career on the stage, but her dreams were dashed when she was told she was too tall to become a professional dancer.
“I was told to only eat cabbage and drink water,” she said.
“I tried, but I was starving, so I just started eating and eating. I had to spend my day in a leotard and was so conscious of my weight that everyone was constantly talking about me and it started to really affect me.
She gained the confidence to take up pole dancing later in life and it was the first time I felt good inside and out.
Ms Burnett said: “I feel like fate has really put this in my path, not only to help my body recover but also to get rid of the negativity that comes with it.”
“I didn’t know how to keep the weight off other than throwing up, it was just a very lonely experience.”
“Then, about 20 years later, I was walking past a gym one day and saw all these amazing women with huge muscles and I really admired the way they looked.” They were so confident and I wanted that for myself too, so I did I set off and felt really good for the first time in my life.’
Ms. Burnett now teaches pole dancing classes for beginners.
She said: “It’s the best feeling in the world to help people feel empowered and be their best.”
“I even managed to take first place in my first major pole competition as I’ve only been doing it for a few months so I was completely blown away.”
“Pole is the hardest and most engaging thing I’ve ever done. I do have rest days, but I alternate between pole and the gym all week and just train the demons.”
When she was younger, Ms. Burnett tried a career on the stage, but her dreams were dashed when she was told she was too tall to become a professional dancer